Kedainiai Nevezis secured a guaranteed trip to SEB BBL Elite Division by defeating VEF Riga 81:68. Veikalas and his 21 points were of a huge importance in this ballgame.

VEF Riga started way too simple for the complex picture put together by Nevezis. Their offensive movement often got trapped in the defensive nets. On the other side, Nevezis started to play simple, effective basketball. Although VEF Riga managed to keep in front, this lead was far from a stable one. After the first quarter 19:22 in VEF Riga favour. This balance changed its way in the second quarter, since Nevezis with the help of Veikalas managed to overtake the lead from VEF Riga. After this event, Valdis Valters had no other choice but to take a time-out. This did not help much, since Nevezis had no problems to end the half in their favour 40:30. It was already evident that Nevezis seemed more morally prepared than their opponents.

There were no big changes in the nature of the game in the third quarter. Gulbis, Veikalas and Sakalauskas slowly exchanged with points, but were not capable of breaking the contest. After the third quarter 57:50 in Nevezis favour. Finally, VEF Riga could not reasonable endanger Nevezis positions to get to the SEB BBL Elite division. There were some signs of hope for Latvians – one and a half minutes till the end the score was 74:66 in Nevezis favour. This did not help, since Lithuanians had absoluely no problems mixing in this situation; they simply did not give their chances away. Both teams slowly balled around and let the game end 81:68.

This means that Nevezis advances to the SEB BBL Elite Division next year, replacing the last place in it. On the other hand, VEF Riga will have to fight with second last team of the Elite Division to get higher.

Top Scorers: Maris Gulbis (19), Benas Veikalas (21)

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